Desecration of Flag Ires Hub More Than The Nudity
In HairVariety - February 25, 1970

Preview locally of Hair at the Wilbur Saturday night (22)
brought screams from "city censor" and chief of Licensing Bureau Dick Sinnott
and action from Dist. Atty. Garrett H. Byrne who assigned Vice Squad members
to cover the remaining previews before the march 6 opening and to seek
court complaints if they find violation of Massachusetts laws.

Sinnott, who attended the first preview said "I had the
misfortune of viewing the worst collection of garbage I've ever seen on
a Boston theatre stage. It featured obscenity for the sake of obscenity.
Nudity for sake of nudity. Crudity for sake of crudity. But most
sickening was manner in which the American flag was degraded and used as
some sort of symbolic dust rag. I understand the play is billed as
a "love-rock musical." what I saw highlighted hostility and hate.
If this is art then Heaven help the theatre. As a resident of Boston
I sincerely wish I could halt this production. However I am powerless
to stop it for, although it violates every vestige of decency, it apparently
doesn't violate any law."

However Sinnott said he was notifying law enforcement
agencies and John Harold, State Commander of AmVets.

Dist. atty. Byrne said Monday (23) he had received several
complaints from persons attending the preview who beefed about "nudity
in the show and offensive gyrations while clothed and desecration of the
Flag."

D.A. said he notified police commissioner Edmund L. McNamara
to send out the Vice Squad to review previews. Sinnott said he wasn't
so concerned on nudity but the flag bit got him steamed. "I'm sure
there will be those overjoyed with this latest form of pollution.
At last they can see something that strips away the last layer of good
taste while at the same time dragging our flag through muck they helped
create. I intend to lodge a protest with veterans organizations in this
state regarding the manner in which our flag is abused."

Boston Herald reported "scores of persons phoned to protest.
Not so much of on-stage nudity but to express indignation over desecration
of the flag."

It was learned there is an 1889 state law forbidding treating
the flag in contemptuous manner and in Leominster, MAss., a 19-year-old
who strolled through town with the American flag sewn to the seat of his
pants was sentenced to a year in jail Monday (23) under the 1889 Massachusetts
law. Judge richard Comerford, in sentencing the youth to maximum
penalty, said his "action was in vile contempt of the symbol of our Republic."

Copyright Variety.

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